Irony: Literary Definitions and Examples

Irony Definition: incongruity between appearance and reality

Literary Irony

Authors use irony to add interest to their work. Audiences who are more informed than the characters are more invested in seeing the outcome; likewise, readers who can see the irony in dialogue will more likely be able to make deeper connections. Irony also allows the author to surprise the reader, which keeps the plot engaging.

For example, in “The Necklace”, Madame Loisel loses her rich friend’s necklace and replaces it at a severe economic cost to her and her husband. After 15 long years of poverty in order to repay the cost of the replacement necklace, Madame Loisel discovers that the original necklace was simply a piece of costume jewelry, and if she had been honest with her friend in the very beginning, she and her husband would not have lost everything. This story is also ironic because Madame Loisel is a very materialistic woman; because of her greed, she becomes nearly destitute, and realizes how good she actually had it when she thought she was poor before. Irony is typically found in three forms: situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony.

Examples of Irony in Literature

In Oedipus Rex, the audience knows that Oedipus is returning to his birthplace and marrying his mother which fulfills the Oracle’s prophecy, even though Oedipus and his mother do not realize it.

In “The Necklace”, Madame Loisel discovers that the expensive necklace she replaced was actually a fake.

In “The Gift of the Magi”, Della sells her hair for Jim’s watch chain, and Jim sells his watch to get combs for Della’s hair.

In “The Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard’s husband survives the train accident, but she believes he is dead. She dies of sadness when she sees he is actually alive, and everyone thinks it was shock.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno is brought into the gas chamber when he climbs under the fence in order to join his new friend Shmuel, not fully understanding that Auschwitz is a death camp and Shmuel is a prisoner.

Be sure to check out our article, Three Types of Irony!

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Frequently Asked Questions about What is Irony?

What is irony in literature?

Irony in literature is a figure of speech where the intended meaning of words is different from their literal meaning. It often creates humor or emphasizes a point by presenting a contrast between expectations and reality.

What are the main types of irony?

The three main types of irony are verbal irony (when someone says the opposite of what they mean), situational irony (when the opposite of what is expected happens), and dramatic irony (when the audience knows something that characters do not).

How do you identify irony in a story?

To identify irony in a story, look for situations where actions or words have unexpected or opposite meanings, or when the reader knows more than the characters, creating a twist or surprise.

Why do authors use irony?

Authors use irony to engage readers, add humor, emphasize themes, and highlight contrasts between appearance and reality. It can make stories more memorable and thought-provoking.

Can you give examples of irony for students?

Examples of irony include: a fire station burning down (situational irony), saying "Great weather!" during a storm (verbal irony), or in a play, the audience knowing a secret that the hero does not (dramatic irony).